As a result of the investigations of the competent authorities regarding the use of illegal monitoring software in our country, new evidence has emerged, as it turned out at yesterday’s meeting Commission of the European Parliament to Investigate the Use of Illegal Software (PEGA Committee). The President of the Communications Privacy Authority (ADAE) was invited to the committee and spoke via videoconference. Christ Rammos and President of the Office for the Protection of Personal Data Konstantinos Menudakos. Both heads of independent bodies stressed that the ongoing investigations are in full swing, informed about the progress made and the next steps.

Mr. Menudakos

At a briefing for MEPs, Mr Menoudakos said that an official investigation by the Data Protection Authority confirmed that about 300 messages related to the illegal surveillance software Predator were sent not to the same number of recipients, but to approximately 100 people. According to him, these data appeared when the Agency began an investigation into how SMS were sent, which tried to lure users into a trap. “The authorities moved in this direction when it emerged with certainty that the messages were sent not over a mobile phone network, but through an online SMS application, such as those used by commercial and other enterprises for bulk messaging,” the statement reads. message. Thus, information was requested from Internet messaging companies, and in particular, information about sent messages containing the names of websites associated with Predator. At the same time, an order was issued not to destroy data to specific companies from which it was established that these messages had passed. “Authorities are trying to figure out who the recipients are, identify them all and decide if and how they should be informed, and finally find the senders of the messages,” added Mr. Menudakos.

Menudaq’s testimony to the PEGA Committee – that the President of PASOK and Mr. Chr. Rammos.

Mr Rammos

Head ADAE Chr. Rammos said the agency continued and continues to carry out inspections as usual, but said he could not give a timeline for completion of the investigations as dozens of complaints had accumulated. In response to a related question, he said that no evidence has been found linking Predator use to EYP.

Mr. Androulakis

PASOK President and MEP Nikos Androulakis spoke at the meeting representing the Eurosocialists, applauding the work of the independent authorities and stating, among other things, that the government’s goal is “to cover up the semi-state it has created”. Responding to a question from Mr. Androulakis, Mr. Rammos said that a few weeks ago, his agency forwarded to the Ministry of Justice the information received to pay for sending messages. Mr. Menudakos, for his part, added that his own office had also determined the details of the payment, referred to four cases, and added that they had been taken to court as more investigation was needed.